Disgraced police worker gets an extra six months in prison over steroids

Stef Hall

A former police worker who was jailed after conspiring to sell drugs has been given an extra six months after possessing steroids in HMP Kirkham.

Philip Eckersley, 29, previously worked for Greater Manchester Police as an exhibits officer but was jailed for four years and three months after admitting conspiracy to supply drugs he had stolen from police stores.

He was due to be released in July but was caught in possession of steroids on returning from day release in December, Preston Crown Court heard.

He admits possession with intent to supply class C drugs.

Eckersley, formerly of Bag Lane, Atherton, has since been returned to a closed prison and appeared by video link.

The Honorary Recorder of Preston, Judge Mark Brown, said: “Yours is indeed a fall from grace. Whilst a serving police worker you committed serious offences, as result of which you received a significant jail term.

“You’d obviously done very well and from an early stage it was apparent you were making good progress. Within a relatively short time you were transferred to Kirkham open prison.

“You would have known full well that it was unlawful to take those drugs into the prison.

“ I’m prepared to accept there had been coercion placed upon you. You had been told that your identity in respect of your background would be revealed to other prisoner and therefore your safety might have been at risk

“I can well understand the enormous frustrations expressed by your family at your offending behaviour. Your father had been a senior officer at GMP and had been involved in serious investigations. It must be a devastation to your mother and father to find you in this position today.

“The message has to go out that those who take drugs into a prison have to be punished no matter what the circumstances might be.”